Crops and Plant Sciences

Cortile interno di Agraria
In-person programme
Crops and Plant Sciences
Course sheet
A.Y. 2026/2027
Master programme
LM-69 R - Scienze e tecnologie agrarie
Master programme
120
ECTS
Access
Open with entry requirements examination
2
Years
Course location
Milan
Language
Italian, English
International title
Double Degree
The Master's Degree Course in Crop and Plant Sciences, part of the Master's Degree class in Agricultural Sciences and Technologies, aims to prepare graduates with a broad cultural and scientific education, providing specific and qualified skills to plan and manage research and innovative processes, either independently or in teams, assuming project and structural responsibilities in public or private companies. The program aims to provide professional training in the fields of plant production and ornamental and urban green systems, as well as plant protection from abiotic and biotic stress, to achieve competitive and sustainable productions.
The training received will give graduates an in-depth knowledge of current agricultural/cropping systems and technical and recreational green spaces, aiming to improve plant production, while also protecting the environment and adapting to its changing conditions.
The degree program will provide specific and qualified knowledge of plant biology, physiology, genetics, and molecular biology, as well as the biology of microorganisms and parasites and their interactions, as essential foundations for improving the quantitative and qualitative aspects of agricultural plant production, rationalizing plant protection strategies, and conserving resources by utilizing both traditional and innovative technologies, including genetic improvement programs. Students will acquire methodologies, including laboratory techniques, to control the quality and sustainability of plant production and to design, manage, and certify production systems and processes.
In order to ensure high-level scientific and professional competencies, the Master's Degree Course in Crop and Plant Sciences is designed to provide graduates with a broad spectrum of knowledge and skills necessary for analyzing and solving problems using a scientific and multidisciplinary approach.
After a common first year, the degree program offers the possibility to choose between two curricula, delivered in English in the second year. The first curriculum, focused on plant biotechnology, allows for greater specialization in biotechnological and genomic approaches to understand plant production and protection mechanisms and apply them to genetic improvement. The second curriculum provides advanced training on approaches and methodologies to be applied in cultivation systems to optimize production inputs in interaction with the environment.
Technical Developers for Plant Production and Green Systems
Role: Professionals in this category are involved in developing innovative tools and processes for agroecosystem management.
Skills: In-depth knowledge of agroecosystems in terms of productivity and environmental compatibility.
Employment Opportunities: Research and advanced technical consulting in private companies producing seeds, plant materials, pesticides, fertilizers, and controlled-environment cultivation solutions; National and international organizations in research and innovation sectors.

Breeders
Role: Professionals in this sector focus on genetic improvement, conservation, and valorization of plant genetic resources.
Skills: Graduates will have knowledge of classical and biotechnological genetic improvement methods, in situ and ex situ plant material conservation, and the ability to manage experimental plans to evaluate and compare materials for potential varietal registration.
Employment Opportunities: Seed companies developing breeding programs; Public and private research institutions developing and evaluating new cultivars; Molecular biology laboratories for traceability analysis; National and international organizations involved in development cooperation, particularly germplasm banks for biodiversity preservation and food security.

Phytopathologists/Entomologists
Role: Professionals in this field design and develop diagnostic protocols and pest control models, applying EU legislation on environmental sustainability.
Skills: Graduates will have knowledge of common and emerging plant pathogens and pests, understanding their economic impact and the essential prevention strategies for environmental protection.
Employment Opportunities: Research positions in public and private institutions developing modern diagnostic tools; Companies producing low-impact phytosanitary products; National and international organizations involved in development cooperation.

The Master Degree Course provides access to the state exam for obtaining the habilitation for the following profession
Agronomy and forestry doctor

Employment statistics (Almalaurea)
The Course of study in Crops and Plant Sciences gives many opportunities for stages abroad mainly through the Erasmus+ programme. About 30 foreign Universities of the EU are involved in this students exchange. The areas of study which can be followed by the students abroad are almost all those included in this course of study. In general, students who make a stage abroad attend local courses or participate in research for the preparation of their thesis. The examination scores and the related UFC obtained in the partner universities are almost entirely acknowledged by our university for the curriculum studies. Other possibilities exist in terms of cultural exchange with non EU universities (in China, Japan, Latin America) not involved in the Erasmus programme. The Master degree in Crop and Plant Science is partner of the double degree in the framework of Erasmus Mundus Master Program in Plant Breeding - emPlant+ (EMJMD) and Tokyo University of Agriculture and Technology. Informations at https://www.unimi.it/en/international/study-abroad/double-degree.
Attendance is strongly recommended for all training activities.
Enrolment
Admission requirements
Access is free but a B1 knowledge of the English language is required for admission to the first year.
In order to take the second year exams, a B2 knowledge of the English language is required.
Graduates of class L-25 (Agricultural sciences and technologies), as well as the corresponding class pursuant to Ministerial Decree 509/99, may access the programme if they have earned at least 30 credits in the following academic fields: BIO/01 - General botany BIO/02 - Systematic botany BIO/03 - Environmental and applied botany BIO/04 - Plant physiology BIO/05 Zoology BIO/13 Applied biology CHIM/03 - General and inorganic chemistry CHIM/06 - Organic chemistry FIS/01 to FIS/07 MAT/01 to MAT/09 INF/01 Computer science ING-INF/05 - Data processing systems SECS-S/01 Statistics. Graduates from classes other than class L-25, who have earned at least 60 credits in the following academic fields, may also access the programme:
AGR/01 - Economy and rural appraisal, AGR/02 - Agronomy and herbaceous crops, AGR/03 - General arboriculture, AGR/04 - Horticulture and floriculture, AGR/05 - Forest management and forestry, AGR/07 - Agricultural genetics, AGR/08 - Agricultural hydraulics, AGR/09 - Agricultural mechanics, AGR/10 - Rural constructions and agro-forestry territory, AGR/11 - General and applied entomology, AGR/12 - Plant pathology, AGR/13 - Agricultural chemistry, AGR/14 - Pedology, AGR/15 - Food science and technology, AGR/16 - Agricultural microbiology, BIO/07 - Ecology, BIO/18 - Genetics, BIO/19 - General microbiology, CHIM/01 - Analytical chemistry, CHIM/12 - Environmental and cultural heritage chemistry, GEO/02 - Stratigraphic and sedimentological geology, GEO/04 - Physical geography and geomorphology, GEO/06 - Mineralogy, GEO/07 - Petrology and petrography, ICAR/06 - Topography and cartography, ICAR/15 - Landscape architecture, IUS/03 - Agricultural law, IUS/14 - European Union law, SECS-P/08 - Economics and business management.

During the application verification phase, an examination committee will evaluate the candidates' curricular requirements and, if necessary, may request an integration of the documentation produced. It may also report any disciplinary gaps that candidates will have to fill before the interview to verify the adequacy of the initial preparation.

A maximum of 24 credits can be recognised (according to DM 931/2024) based on certified professional knowledge and skills, as well as other knowledge and skills acquired from post-secondary training activities planned and organized with the contribution of the University.

Proficiency in English at a B1 level or higher under the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFR) is required for admission.
The B1-level requirement will be ascertained by the University Language Centre (SLAM) upon admission as follows:
- Language certificate at or above B1, obtained no more than three years earlier. For the list of language certificates recognized by the University please review: (https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267). The certificate must be uploaded when submitting the online application;
- English level achieved during a University of Milan degree programme and certified by the University Language Centre (SLAM) no more than four years before the date of admission application, including levels based on language certificates submitted by the applicants during their Bachelor's degree at the University of Milan. In this case the process is automatic, the applicant does not have to attach any certificates to the application;
- Entry test administrated by the University Language Centre (SLAM) according to the calendar published on the website: (https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267)
All those who fail to submit a valid certificate or do not meet the required proficiency level will be instructed during the admission procedure to take the Entry test.
Applicants who do not take or pass the Entry test will be required to obtain a language proficiency certificate recognized by the University (see: https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39322) and deliver it to the SLAM via the InformaStudenti service by the deadline fixed for the master's programme (https://www.unimi.it/en/node/39267/).
Applicants who do not meet the requirement by said deadline will not be admitted to the master's degree programme and may not sit any further tests.

The admission notice is published on the page https://sppp.cdl.unimi.it/en/enrolment

Admission assessment
Candidates who have satisfied the curricular entry requirements will have to undergo an interview to verify the adequacy of their personal preparation, which will be held on the dates indicated:
- September 17, 2026, 2.00 pm;
- January 7, 2027, 2.00 pm.
The interviews will take place via videoconference. Connection details will be notified to the candidates within one week of the interview date.

Admission

Application for admission: from 22/01/2026 to 30/10/2026

Application for matriculation: from 05/05/2026 to 15/01/2027


Attachments and documents

Admission notice


Admissions A.Y. 2026/2027

Admission applications for Academic Year 2026/2027 are now open. Non-EU students visa applicants are required to apply for admission no later than 30 April 2026.

Learn more:
Programme description and courses list
year
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Pathogens 12 116 Italian AGRI-05/A AGRI-05/B
- Entomologia applicata656AGRI-05/A
- Fitoiatria660AGRI-05/B
First semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Microbial Biotechnologies Applied to Plant Production 6 52 Italian AGRI-08/A
Statistics and Experimental Design 6 64 English AGRI-02/A
Tree Growing Strategies 6 56 Italian AGRI-03/A
Virology and Physiopathological Biotechnologies Biotechnologies 6 64 Italian AGRI-05/B
Second semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Herbaceous Cropping Systems 6 64 Italian AGRI-02/A
Physiology of Plant Production 6 56 Italian AGRI-06/B
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
English Proficiency B2 (3 ECTS) 3 0 English NN
Optional
Additional Language Skills: Italian (3 ECTS) 3 0 Italian NN
Other Useful Knowledge for Entering the Job Market 3 0 Italian NN
Study plan rules
- STUDENTS MUST ACQUIRE 3 ADDITIONAL CREDITS

For Italian students, a theoretical-practical course is planned relating to the topics covered in the study program, held by freelancers or experts in some production sectors and professors related to the degree program to illustrate and discuss topics useful for entering the world of work (Other knowledge useful for entering the world of work).

For foreign students, an assessment of knowledge of the Italian language is planned (see the paragraph Language tests).
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Additional Language Skills: Italian (3 ECTS) 3 0 Italian Open sessions NN
Other Useful Knowledge for Entering the Job Market 3 0 Italian Open sessions NN
be activated by the A.Y. 2027/2028
First semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Crop Modeling 6 48 English AGRI-02/A
Plant Breeding 6 56 English AGRI-06/A
Second semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Methodologies for Quantifying the Environmental Sustainability of Crop Production 6 48 English AGRI-04/B
Protected Cultivation Systems 6 56 English AGRI-02/B
Conclusive activities
There are no specific sessions for these activities.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Final Exam 30 0 Italian NN
First semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Bioinformatics for Horticultural Sciences 6 64 English AGRI-03/A
Nursery Tree Production 6 58 Italian AGRI-03/A
Second semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Low Environmental Impact Techniques and Methodologies for the Control of Plant Diseases 6 68 English AGRI-05/B
Pest Management in Post-Harvest Food 6 56 Italian AGRI-05/A
Planning and Realization of Urban Green Spaces 6 56 Italian AGRI-03/A
Plant Phenotyping Methods (P2M) 6 64 Italian AGRI-03/A
Proximal Sensing and Data Analysis for Agricultural Products 6 56 Italian AGRI-04/B
Ree Fru-Bqe - Fruit Breeding and Quality Evaluation Experience 3 48 Italian AGRI-03/A AGRI-04/B
Study plan rules
- The academic plan includes 12 credits for elective activities. To this end, students can select courses organised for this and other degree programmes of this Faculty and the University in general, or opt for other educational activities that can be measured in credits. See also the paragraph Structure of the course - Presentation of the study plan. These can be seminars, conferences, refresher courses and other activities organised by this University or another entity, provided that they are congruent with the study programme. Normally, a maximum of 4 credits can be awarded for this kind of activities, which must be approved beforehand by the Academic Board. For information on how to obtain credits for such activities, students have to contact their tutor. The programme offers two alternative curricula. Therefore, students may select as elective activities courses included in the curriculum that they have not chosen. Furthermore, for students following the Master's Degree Course in Crop and Plant Sciences, the Academic Board notably recommends the elective courses indicated in the table below.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Bioinformatics for Horticultural Sciences 6 64 English First semester AGRI-03/A
Nursery Tree Production 6 58 Italian First semester AGRI-03/A
Low Environmental Impact Techniques and Methodologies for the Control of Plant Diseases 6 68 English Second semester AGRI-05/B
Pest Management in Post-Harvest Food 6 56 Italian Second semester AGRI-05/A
Planning and Realization of Urban Green Spaces 6 56 Italian Second semester AGRI-03/A
Plant Phenotyping Methods (P2M) 6 64 Italian Second semester AGRI-03/A
Proximal Sensing and Data Analysis for Agricultural Products 6 56 Italian Second semester AGRI-04/B
Ree Fru-Bqe - Fruit Breeding and Quality Evaluation Experience 3 48 Italian Second semester AGRI-03/A AGRI-04/B
year
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Prevention and Control of Plant Pests and Pathogens 12 116 Italian AGRI-05/A AGRI-05/B
- Entomologia applicata656AGRI-05/A
- Fitoiatria660AGRI-05/B
First semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Microbial Biotechnologies Applied to Plant Production 6 52 Italian AGRI-08/A
Tree Growing Strategies 6 56 Italian AGRI-03/A
Virology and Physiopathological Biotechnologies Biotechnologies 6 64 Italian AGRI-05/B
Second semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Herbaceous Cropping Systems 6 64 Italian AGRI-02/A
Physiology of Plant Production 6 56 Italian AGRI-06/B
Open sessions
There are no specific sessions for these activities.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
English Proficiency B2 (3 ECTS) 3 0 English NN
Optional
Additional Language Skills: Italian (3 ECTS) 3 0 Italian NN
Other Useful Knowledge for Entering the Job Market 3 0 Italian NN
Study plan rules
- STUDENTS MUST ACQUIRE 3 ADDITIONAL CREDITS

For Italian students, a theoretical-practical course is planned relating to the topics covered in the study program, held by freelancers or experts in some production sectors and professors related to the degree program to illustrate and discuss topics useful for entering the world of work (Other knowledge useful for entering the world of work).

For foreign students, an assessment of knowledge of the Italian language is planned (see the paragraph Language tests).
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Additional Language Skills: Italian (3 ECTS) 3 0 Italian Open sessions NN
Other Useful Knowledge for Entering the Job Market 3 0 Italian Open sessions NN
be activated by the A.Y. 2027/2028
First semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Advanced Plant Pathology 6 56 English AGRI-05/B
Development of Crop Ideotypes 6 56 English AGRI-06/A
Molecular Methods for Plant Breeding 6 56 English AGRI-06/A
Plant Molecular Biology 6 56 English AGRI-06/A
Statistics and Experimental Design 6 64 English AGRI-02/A
Conclusive activities
There are no specific sessions for these activities.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Compulsory
Final Exam 30 0 Italian NN
First semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Bioinformatics for Horticultural Sciences 6 64 English AGRI-03/A
Nursery Tree Production 6 58 Italian AGRI-03/A
Second semester
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language SSD
Optional
Low Environmental Impact Techniques and Methodologies for the Control of Plant Diseases 6 68 English AGRI-05/B
Pest Management in Post-Harvest Food 6 56 Italian AGRI-05/A
Planning and Realization of Urban Green Spaces 6 56 Italian AGRI-03/A
Plant Phenotyping Methods (P2M) 6 64 Italian AGRI-03/A
Proximal Sensing and Data Analysis for Agricultural Products 6 56 Italian AGRI-04/B
Ree Fru-Bqe - Fruit Breeding and Quality Evaluation Experience 3 48 Italian AGRI-03/A AGRI-04/B
Study plan rules
- The academic plan includes 12 credits for elective activities. To this end, students can select courses organised for this and other degree programmes of this Faculty and the University in general, or opt for other educational activities that can be measured in credits. See also the paragraph Structure of the course - Presentation of the study plan. These can be seminars, conferences, refresher courses and other activities organised by this University or another entity, provided that they are congruent with the study programme. Normally, a maximum of 4 credits can be awarded for this kind of activities, which must be approved beforehand by the Academic Board. For information on how to obtain credits for such activities, students have to contact their tutor. The programme offers two alternative curricula. Therefore, students may select as elective activities courses included in the curriculum that they have not chosen. Furthermore, for students following the Master's Degree Course in Crop and Plant Sciences, the Academic Board notably recommends the elective courses indicated in the table below.
Courses or activities Max ECTS Total hours Language Lesson period SSD
Bioinformatics for Horticultural Sciences 6 64 English First semester AGRI-03/A
Nursery Tree Production 6 58 Italian First semester AGRI-03/A
Low Environmental Impact Techniques and Methodologies for the Control of Plant Diseases 6 68 English Second semester AGRI-05/B
Pest Management in Post-Harvest Food 6 56 Italian Second semester AGRI-05/A
Planning and Realization of Urban Green Spaces 6 56 Italian Second semester AGRI-03/A
Plant Phenotyping Methods (P2M) 6 64 Italian Second semester AGRI-03/A
Proximal Sensing and Data Analysis for Agricultural Products 6 56 Italian Second semester AGRI-04/B
Ree Fru-Bqe - Fruit Breeding and Quality Evaluation Experience 3 48 Italian Second semester AGRI-03/A AGRI-04/B
Learn more
Quality Assurance Delegate
Contacts

For students enrolled in Bachelor's, Master's and single-cycle degree programmes, tuition fees are to be paid in two instalments:

  • the amount of the first instalment is the same for all students and is due upon enrolment
  • the amount of the second instalment varies according to each student's ISEE University value and the degree programme in which they are enrolled
  • for international students with income and assets abroad, the second instalment varies according to their country of origin.

Education incentive programmes and other benefits

The University offers scholarships, cafeterias, subsidised accommodation and other forms of financial support to students meeting specific economic and merit requirements.

More information